Gilda P. DeBerardinis

LIVESTREAM OF VISITATION AND MEMORIAL SERVICE BEGINNING AT

10:30AM on FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022

click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzDKBAralLE

Gilda (Jill) P. DeBerardinis of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2021 at Brandywine Assisted Living at Longwood. She was 91 years old.  

Born in North Belle Vernon, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Jill was the daughter of the late Joseph Petitto and the late Eunice Spina Petitto.

Jill graduated from California State University (of PA) with a degree in education (1951) and earned a MS in early childhood education (Montessori focus) at Oglethorpe University (1964). In addition to studying and leading Montessori classrooms in Atlanta, GA, she founded and led two Montessori schools, one in Mount Lebanon, PA and another in Wilmington, DE, her resilient response to the relocation of her family. She served countless of students and even some of their children over a 40 year career before retiring in Southeastern Pennsylvania. She enjoyed playing the piano and sang with multiple interdenominational choirs in addition to being actively involved in many Catholic parishes during her life, the most recent being Sacred Heart in Oxford, PA. She suffered from worsening dementia these last 5 years.

Jill will be remembered for her professional and business accomplishments, notably being included in the tiny percentage of women who owned their own business in the late 1960s. She will also be remembered by the loving and playful relationship with her husband, Martin, and her love and commitment to her children. Jill had a strong and sensible leadership style that she so often displayed with all. She brought independence and a direct approach to life and relished meeting and resolving challenges with energy and confidence in support of family, colleagues and friends.   

Jill was predeceased by her husband, Marty DeBerardinis, Sr. of 67 years, her sister Mary Schaffer and brother Alvin (Buddy) Petitto. She is survived by her sister Emma Jean Carpini and her children Martin DeBerardinis Jr. (Carol), David L. DeBerardinis (Deborah Joy) and Maryann D. Younger (Kristofer); grandchildren Katelyn Jean DeBerardinis (Jeremey), Anna Pedroni (Jesse), Martin E. DeBerardinis, Jessica DeBerardinis (David), Andrew Younger (Jessica) and Margaret Weber (Jacob); and great-grandson, Aksel Younger. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation with her family will be held on March 18, 2022 from 10:00AM until 11:00AM with a Memorial Service at 11:00AM at Longwood Funeral Home & Cremation of Matthew Genereux, 913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA.  Inurnment will follow the service in Longwood Cemetery.

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